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Chrome Division

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Chrome Division
OriginOslo, Norway[1]
GenresHeavy metal, Speed metal, Thrash Metal [2]
Years active2004–present
LabelsNuclear Blast
MembersShady Blue
Ricky Black
Shagrath
Björn Luna
Tony White
Past membersLex Icon
Eddie Guz
Websitechromedivision.com

Chrome Division is a heavy metal band from Norway formed in 2004 by Shagrath, the lead vocalist of symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, and Lex Icon, founder of The Kovenant. Although it was not intended as such, it is now considered a side project of Shagrath's, and the current lineup consists of him on rhythm guitar, along with Eddie Guz from The Carburetors as the vocalist, Ricky Black on lead guitar, Björn Luna on bass guitar and Tony White on drums. The band plays in the style of bands such as Motörhead, and draws heavily upon imagery from the motorcycling subculture.

To date, Chrome Division has released two albums, Doomsday Rock 'n Roll in 2006 and Booze, Broads and Beelzebub, was released in 2008, but the band has signed a three-album deal with Nuclear Blast. Chrome Division also released a music video for the song "Serial Killer" in an attempt to publicise the album, directed by noted Swedish director Patrick Ullaeus.

History

Foundation and early history

The idea for the band was conceived by Shagrath and Stian Arnesen, then of Dimmu Borgir, in 1999.[3] This consisted of the two musicians jamming after Dimmu Borgir rehearsals. With Shagrath on guitars and Arnesen (or "Lex Icon") on drums, they recorded some material, but could take it no further due to their commitments to their other bands.[1] Shagrath later claimed that Dimmu Borgir will always be his priority.[4]

It was not until mid 2004 that the band was properly formed.[1] Shagrath and Lex Icon once again met up, and by this time Lex Icon had left Dimmu Borgir and founded The Kovenant. Shagrath had free time due to Dimmu Borgir taking a break after Ozzfest.[3] Shagrath got in contact with bassist Björn Luna (of Ashes to Ashes) and invited him to join them. The trio formed the base of Chrome Project.[1] Luna then contacted Eddie Guz (of The Carburetors) who joined as vocalist,[1] after Jarle Bernhoft of Span, who tried out for the band, proved unable to take the job.[3] Ricky Black, who usually played in a Swedish blues band,[3] was the final member to be drafted in, this time as a guitarist.[1] Shortly afterwards, Lex Icon was replaced with Tony White of Minis Tirith,[1] because he was missing a large number of practice sessions, which was holding the band back.[3] The band stated that there were "no hard feelings".[5][6] Although Shagrath has said that he never meant for Chrome Division to be a side project,[3] many critics have referred to it as such.[7] Björn Luna has also stated that he considers Chrome Division to be a "proper band" rather than a side project.[8]

Doomsday Rock 'n Roll (2004–2006)

It was this lineup that entered the Panzer Studio in Oslo to record the bands first album, Doomsday Rock 'n Roll, on December 4, 2005.[5] The album was produced by Björn Bergesen,[9] who was chosen for his commitment to the band and the fact that he was a fan of them.[3] Chrome Division announced that they had signed with Nuclear Blast on February 1, 2006.[10] It was through Nuclear Blast that Doomsday Rock N' Roll was released on August 8, 2006, in North America,[11][12] and slightly earlier in Norway, where it entered the charts at number 31.[12] It received numerous positive reviews,[13][14][15] and some that were less positive.[16] The album was praised for being "fun and boisterous" by Ken Pierce, of SeaOfTranquility.org,[14] but Jackie Smit, of Chronicles of Chaos, said "the band seemingly ends up having more [fun] than the listener".[16] Although the album was described as being unoriginal by reviewers, Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki claims that "what makes this album special is the high level of talent with which it is performed".[13] Adam Harrold, of Rock Something, finished his review with the thought that the album "might not be smartest record of 2006, but it is the sweatiest."[15] Chrome Division also recorded a music video for the song "Serial Killer" to publicise the album. The video was directed by Patrick Ullaeus, a Swedish director.[3]

Booze, Broads and Beelzebub (2007–present)

Although there was no official release on the subject, Shagrath said in an interview with Live-Metal.net that Chrome Division had several new songs post Doomsday Rock 'n Roll, and that the band would probably try to produce a new album in mid 2007.[4] Björn Luna also said that there was to be a second album in an interview on MetalEagle.com, and explained that the band has signed a three album contract with Nuclear Blast.[8]

On January 15, 2008, Chrome Division announced they had finished recording their second album. It was recorded between January 7 and January 14, 2008, at Studio Fredmann.[17] The album, entitled Booze, Broads and Beelzebub, was released on July 18, 2008, with the band claiming it is "a much better sounding album than the first one".[18]

In addition, the band issued a statement on their MySpace confirming preparation for their third release.[19]

On August 31, the band announced on its myspace that they had parted ways with singer Eddie Guz due to "lack of dedication and commitment to the band" adding that he had been replaced with Paul Mathiesen (Shady Blue) a.k.a. Athera from Susperia.

Musical style

Shagrath cites Chrome Division's influences as Black Label Society, Spiritual Beggars and AC/DC, and says that he wanted the band to sound like an '80s rock 'n roll heavy metal band. He also talked about the band trying adhere to that image, through lyrical content and such.[3] This was picked up on by Ken Pearce, of SeaOfTranquility.org who commented on the biker culture imagery,[14] which included the sound of a motorcycle revving up at the start of the track "Trouble with the Law".[20] Reviewers compared the sound of the music to Motörhead,[13][16] and Black Label Society[13] and compared the "fun" attitude of the band to Turbonegro.[13] Shagrath has said that future releases from the band will be "musically the same thing", but that they will "try to add different ingredients" and they may also change the lyrical content.[3]

Members

Current lineup

Former members

Discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Chrome Division Biography". Nuclear Blast. 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Chrome Division > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Morgan, Anthony (2006-06-26). "Chrome Division interview (Shagrath)". Rockdetector. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  4. ^ a b Maki, Jeff (2007-05-09). "Dimmu Borgir: Sharing Their Sacrifice (interview with Shagrath)". Live-Metal.net. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  5. ^ a b "Dimmu Borgir Frontman's Chrome Division Side-Project Sign With Nuclear Blast". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  6. ^ "New Drummer". Chrome Division. 2005-08-10. Archived from the original on 2006-02-21. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  7. ^ "Chrome Division - Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll". Metal Invader. 2006-08-08. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  8. ^ a b Smirnioti, Marilena. "Chrome Division- Interview with Björn Luna". MetalEagle.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  9. ^ "Review: Chrome Division - Doomsday Rock'n'Roll (CD)" (in Austrian German). Stormbringer. 2006-07-21. Retrieved 2007-08-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  10. ^ "CD Signed to Nuclear Blast". Chrome Division. 2006-02-01. Archived from the original on 2006-02-21. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  11. ^ "Chrome Division Discography". Nuclear Blast. 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b "Chrome Divisions's 'Doomsday Rock 'N Roll' Enters Norwegian Chart At No. 31". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-08-04. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  13. ^ a b c d e Maki, Jeff (2006). "'Doomsday Rock 'N Roll' (Nuclear Blast)". Live-Metal.net. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  14. ^ a b c Pierce, Ken (2006-07-23). "Chrome Division: Doomsday Rock 'N' Roll". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  15. ^ a b Harrold, Adam (2006). [http:// "Chrome Division - Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll Review"]. Rock Something. Retrieved 2007-08-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  16. ^ a b c Smit, Jackie (2006-06-20). "Chrome Division - _Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll_". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  17. ^ "New Album Recorded". Official blog. Chrome Division. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  18. ^ Tsui, Peggy (2008-05-14). "Chrome Division to Release New Album in July". MetalUnderground.com. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  19. ^ [1]
  20. ^ Alisoglu, Scott. "Doomsday Rock 'N Roll (Nuclear Blast)". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  21. ^ Chrome Division Posts New Song, "Bulldogs Unleashed" Online, Reveals New Album Tracklisting

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